Book Launch at Tintagel – March 2024

The twelfth of March was an auspicious day when the second part of my life journey was released. It takes a huge amount of time and effort from an author as well as their publishing company to produce a book. When the day of completion eventually arrives it feels rather surreal!

I was delighted that Blake and Wycke Malliway from Crossed Crow Books were in the area from Chicago and arranged to join me for this event.

Their excitable energy and infectious smiles lift the spirits of those around them. It is a pleasure to be in their company.

Lorna who owns the Healing Star in Penzance has been a constant support, providing books and some of her stock at the events.

A delightful group arrived at the Wooton Inn on yet another wet and windy day.

One in particular, was the person who invited me to a new development circle twenty-eight years ago when I attended my first psychic workshop.

It was the first time I attended a spiritualist church. I mention her in my first book and was delighted when she moved to Cornwall. It was wonderful to have her there with me.

Others who attended have become good friends over the years and I appreciate their genuine support.

Speaking about my journey and the books I have published flows easily, as I do not see it as a formal talk, it feels more like an informal ‘chat’, encouraging the group to ask questions and make comments whenever they wish.

Cassandra sat nearby and said I did splendidly and she is proud of me. I am grateful for her constant support throughout the last fifteen years.

After a wonderful afternoon, Blake and Wycke wined and dined Cassandra and I at the Tintagel Brewery Bistro. An evening full of fun and intriguing conversation.

So there you have it, both books are now published. What an exciting journey it has been!

Both book are available from Crossed Crow Books, the Healing Star and Amazon.

March 18, 2024 0

The Creation of Morvargh the Dark Sea ‘Oss

At the start of 2017 I contemplated acquiring an ‘Obby ‘Oss of my own so that I could be a rider. I originally searched for the skull of a small horse asking the advice of David Pitt who owns and rides Coppertown Mari. I purchased the skull of an Icelandic foal with Viking heritage, a significant find as my place of birth was at the site of an ancient Viking settlement.

Here is an article about horses in Anglo Saxon and ancient Viking history:

“Hwær cwom mearg? Hwær cwom mago?”

Where is the horse gone? Where the rider? (The Wanderer)

Both Anglo-Saxon and Scandinavian warriors, particularly nobles, loved their horses. They might prefer to fight on foot, swinging sword or axe with their men (unlike the Normans) but to own a horse meant status, rather like owning an expensive car does today. A king might direct a battle from the saddle but most of the valuable steeds would be led to the rear, safe from harm, before a battle. When asked to fight as cavalry in the early 11th century, ‘against their custom’, English warriors were so uncomfortable that they preferred flight. A mounted knight, isolated high in his saddle, cannot be one with his men. Perhaps it is this factor which led, following the Norman conquest, to the terrible widening of the social gulf betwixt noble and yeoman; a distance which had been relatively small in comparison in the egalitarian days prior to 1066.

Horse Worship

Horse worship in Northern Europe dates back to the Bronze Age. The horse, particularly the white horse, was seen as a sacred and magical animal associated with a particular god or as a totem of the warrior-king. Many Indo-European religious branches show evidence for horse sacrifice, and comparative mythology suggests that they derive from an original Proto-Indo-European ritual.

Pagan reverence of the horse, including its phallus, seems to have been linked to the worship of the fertility god Frea Ing / Yngvi Freyr and so outraged the Catholic Church that a complete ban was imposed in Northern and Western Europe against religious recognition or veneration of the horse in any form.

Thegns of Mercia

David Pitt ‘birthed’ a number of ‘Obby ‘Osses that perform in the folk world. I arranged to send the skull to him after purchase. He then kept me updated with video footage explaining the work required to make it robust. He explained the skull’s condition and the adult teeth were still embedded deep within the jaw as they had not yet emerged. I discovered foal was born and bred on an Icelandic farm, but unfortunately they do not always survive the severe weather or they are undernourished.

David worked on the foal over a period of 3 months and constructed silver ears and a tongue for her. I sent him teal baubles for the eyes that he attached within the eye sockets. David also constructed a pole along with fixtures and fittings so that the jaw had enough movement to proved a wonderful ‘snap’.

A good friend Craig Weatherill informed me the Cornish name for seahorse was ‘Morvargh’.

Three months passed without me seeing or holding Morvargh, but I knew my ‘Oss was in expert hands! David Pitt kindly travelled from Wales to deliver her in person on Beltane 2017.

When David left, it was time for me to work on Morvargh. I had already created a new dress for Penkevyll with new mane and tatters plus two new hearth dolls, so my creative energy was flowing.

I began work on the mane by fitting blue Hessian material to the skull. I then had the lengthy task of braiding strands of wool constructing 40 braids using all of two large balls of wool. The braids were then sewn to the hessian.

When her mane was complete, I attached 120 pearls to it and larger mother of pearl shells to the centre parting.

A starfish and other shells were added to the skull using a glue recommended by my wonderful friends John and Sue Exton. They have had plenty of experience in decorating Mari Celeste and Mari Seren. I tied ribbons to the sides of the skull along with cockleshells that make a wonderful sound. There are Pirate rings in her ears and the teal dress was constructed from a sheet and netted material.

Morvargh was the first Sea ‘Oss to be created in Cornwall and her debut was at Penberth Cove on a beautiful warm sunny day.

It was a wonderful experience to introduce Morvargh to the Cornish sea. Our bond has strengthened during the time I worked on her image and we naturally merged together as one.

Morvargh has been the inspiration for two more Sea ‘Osses who have recently appeared in Cornwall and I was delighted to see her displayed in the new Museum of Magic and Folklore in Falmouth. (July 2022).

After 2 years of sleeping Morvargh has grown up and she now has a darker image.

July 19, 2022 2

Boekka’s 10th Birthday – Memories

2020 has many special dates and anniversaries, however the Covid Virus prevented celebrations and events going ahead as planned. August 8th marks our Cornish Guise team Boekka’s 10th birthday. The last 10 years have been such an adventure.

The following photographs of Boekka are from the days when our ‘Oss Penkevyll briefly performed as Penglaz the Penzance ‘Oss.

Mazey Eve 2009

Devon and Cornwall Pagan Conference 2010

Cassandra and I were in the developmental stages of creating a Guise team known as Penglaz Guise, to travel to other parts of Cornwall and the U.K., However at this time. we did not realize that Penglaz was not permitted to perform outside of Penzance. In recent time this seems to have changed.

2011

When Penglaz Guise and our ‘Oss were dismissed from Penzance this set us free to re-name our ‘Oss and perform anywhere we desired. It took a while to change our image. The following photograph was at Penkevyll’s naming ceremony on 6th March 2011.

Boekka then made it’s debut with Penkevyll at Spring Equinox 2011 in Crean St Buryan. The Teazers were working on choreographed dances with a band that consisted of a hurdy-gurdy and drummers.

Creating and organizing a Guise team is hard work arranging practices, and events. A few more members joined after the Equinox and this inspired my son who had Morris danced since a small boy, to teach a team alongside Boekka’s Guise team. Some of the community did not agree with the Morris inclusion as they considered it an English tradition rather than Cornish.

In 2011 we attended various events shown in the following photographs.

Cornwall Pride 2011

It also seemed to be a year for media work! We appeared with Sue Perkins on the television program All Roads Lead Home and also Paul Merton’s Caravanning Adventures.

Rochester Sweeps Festival was our first weekend away and Kent is a 340 mile journey. Penkevyll caused quite a stir as it seemed that no one in Kent was familiar with a skull ‘Oss.

2012

In 2012 the Morris side connected to Boekka had 12 members. More dances and events were introduced and as we were then without a musician, the teams performed with percussion only while I taught myself to play a melodeon. We also hired a minibus and travelled to Scotland in March to perform at the Scottish Pagan Conference.

Boekka performed at the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic’s Charm Day event in Boscastle.

We also performed at Godolphin Fair

In Marazion on a hot summer day.

I learnt the tunes for Boekka that were composed by my son as well as other popular folk tunes.

My son also played percussion on occasions for Teazer dances choreographed by me.

Teignmouth Folk Festival

Pasty Day Redruth

2013

By 2013 some members left for various reasons and new ones joined. Due to a lack of regular commitment in 2012, we were unable to reach the high standard of performance we desired with a limited number of good dancers. My son then taught new members the Morris dances. A local man who was a Cotswold Morris dancer joined us and rode Penkevyll on occasions.

Bodmin Riding Heritage Day

North Inn Pendeen

Lands End

May morning on Chapel Carn Brea

2014

In 2014 it was difficult to get new recruits as many performers were more interested in Cornish pursuits. My son tried to maintain a high standard of performance that most members found difficult to cope with. We continued howevere with the few dancers we had along with the Cornish Teazer and ‘Oss side of Boekka that remained strong throughout.

Teignmouth Folk Festival

Wreckers Day of Dance

Lands End

Bodmin Riding Heritage Day

Marazion

Lands End

Chapel Carn Brea

St Pirans Day

St Pirans Day – we usually team up with the Whippletree band in the processions

Chepstow Wassail

The first All Hallows Dark Gathering 2014

We continue this journey in Part 2!

August 9, 2020 4

Boekka’s 10th Birthday – Memories 2

2015

At the beginning of 2015 my son moved away from Cornwall to pursue his career. I took over the role of choreographer for the Morris side and Guise team.

. As we were also low in numbers I was also needed in the dances which meant I could not play music. The majority of out dances were performed with percussion only.

Chepstow Wassail 2015

Boekka acquired another ‘Oss rider who was much shorter than our past riders. Penkevyll did not tower above the other ‘Osses as she had in previous years which changed her presence and energy. I could also reach her head without her having to bend as far. The rider was also a founder member of a local Morris side that I danced with on a few occasions.

St Pirans Day Redruth 2015

Trewellard Beer Festival

Wreckers Day of Dance

After observing our Morris team at Wreckers Day of Dance, it was evident that our side was not progressing well despite our efforts. I decided that it was time to close it down due to difficulty in recruiting local dancers. It was impossible to maintain the high standard of performance that I was used to within my first Morris side back in the 1990s. I then had more time to concentrate on our Cornish Teazer and ‘Oss performances as well as dancing with the other Morris based in mid-Cornwall.

All Hallows Dark Gathering 2015

At the Dark Gathering 2015 I performed with the local Morris side as Cassandra was still main Teazer for Penkevyll.

2016

2016 was a busier year performing with Boekka and attending events with the Morris side.

Chepstow Wassail 2016

Fowey 2016

Handfasting Event

Boekka was invited to perform at a Handfasting party in Lamorna. Our other local rider volunteered for this event. Penkevyll was well and truly soaked by torrential rain when she arrived for her performance that evening!

St Pirans 2016

Lostfest 2016

The Dark Gathering 2016

It was a busy summer and although I worked hard performing with the local Morris side, it did not totally fulfill me. On our arrival in Boscastle Friday evening for the Dark Gathering, toxic attitudes also confirmed it was time to leave this Morris side. After a heated discussion between Cassandra and the founder member, he announced that not only was he dismissing her from the team, but in retaliation, he would not ride Penkevyll at this event. Fortunately, a tall, fit Morris dancer attended the event and was not performing. He saved the day by kindly agreeing to stand in.

2017

In 2017 Cassandra handed the role of Head Teazer to me. I was then able to concentrate solely on this performance without dividing my energies. Life with Boekka settled into a positive routine and the energies improved immensely.

Chepstow Wassail 2017

Cassandra focused on her drumming and met excellent percussionists who assisted in her development.

St Pirans Day Redruth 2017

While I teased Penkevyll at this event, Cassandra played percussion with a local folk band Whippletree.

On Beltane 2017 we gave Penkevyll and Boekka a total change of image, discarding unwanted residue from the past for a new beginning. I created a new mane, dress and tatters with Cornish colours of black, white and gold.

Although Cassandra had handed over the Teazer role to me, she could not resist posing for our new image with her ‘trusty’ snapper! She also experimented with black face paint on a couple of occasions before it became controversial.

After completing Penkevyll’s new image, my creative juices were flowing, so I purchased a foal ‘Obby ‘Oss naming her Morvargh the Dark Sea ‘Oss. By owning a smaller ‘Oss we could still take her out if Penkevyll is unable to appear at an event. The foal is a welcome addition to our team and popular with Boekka fans.

Tintagel Carnival 2017

Boscastle 2017

The Dark Gathering 2017

Morvargh made her debut at the Dark Gathering 2017 during the afternoon. I rode her with Wreckers Morris during their Song of the Sea dance.

2018

2018 brought a surprising change to Boekka. A younger man contacted us with a desire to join a ‘dark and edgy’ team. We tried him out as rider for Penkevyll and he had good potential. He connected with the spiritual aspect of ‘Oss riding and treats Penkevyll with utmost care and respect. This is extremely important as ‘Osses are not merely puppets for one’s convenience and/or ego. This attitude sadly occurs more frequently now that owning an ‘Oss has become a fashionable ‘trend’. I had acquired apprentice Teazers that connect with Penkevyll in their own way. One of them also rides Morvargh on occasions.

Chepstow Wassail 2018

Although Penkevyll’s riders were unavailable for Chepstow, I managed to find a young, tall, muscular Welshman to ride Penkevyll during the afternoon. In the evening, we had the freedom to enjoy the ceremony on the bridge without an ‘Oss to distract us.

We spent the summertime training our new ‘Oss rider and Teazers who made their official debut at the next event.

The Dark Gathering 2018

Cassandra joined the drummers of Beltane Border Morris as she enjoys their wild rhythmic music.

It was also wonderful to re-connect with my former Morris team from 20 years ago at this event. It provided the opportunity to come ‘full circle’; by performing my final Morris dance with them at the Dark Gathering. This event is truly a place ‘between the worlds’ where magical things occur!

2019

2019 had a wonderful start with Beorma Morris joining us at the Chepstow Wassai. It was fabulous to catch up with friends we had not seen in a while after the break up of Wytchwood Morris.

This year the Maris had a Beauty Pageant where Boekka were interviewed. There were 33 Maris and ‘Osses. We were waiting backstage for quite a while before our turn arrived.

My apprentice Teazer and I performed a Morris dance from my former Morris side. We danced on the bridge around Cassandra and Penkevyll.

St Pirans Day Redruth 2019

I had work commitments on St Pirans Day and left Penkevyll in the hands of my two Apprentice Teazers. They did a magnificent job!

Tintagel Carnival 2019

Boekka were joined by Mari Arianrhod visiting from Wales for the Tintagel Carnival procession.

The Dark Gathering 2019

Morvargh took more of an active role this year, rode by one of our Teazers. I stepped in as co-organiser of the event after the sudden departure of the managers from the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic.

2020

The Chepstow Wassail was unfortunately cancelled this year, so we attended the Brecon Wassail instead. It is a smaller event; however we were keen to meet up with our Welsh friends and their Maris. Our Teazers performed with the Welsh dancers, although the dancing in my opinion was better when we rehearsed the previous evening during our drinking session!

Cassandra had a wonderful 70th Birthday Party in March 2020 with our special guests – Beltane Border Morris. Then the pandemic occurred and it became one of the strangest years when events were cancelled. The world changed beyond recognition! Let us hope we return to normality soon!

So there you have it….10 years of Boekka and what an incredible, eventful journey! I wonder what the next 10 years will bring…… we shall see you soon!!

August 9, 2020 4

Morvargh performs at Tintagel Carnival

Yesterday evening Morvargh performed at Tintagel Carnival. There was a fabulous atmosphere and many participants.

August 6, 2017 1

Morvargh visits Boscastle

Yesterday was a fabulous day for us when we took Morvargh the Sea ‘Oss to Boscastle and introduced her to Peter, Joyce and Louise Fenton at the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic.